Refuse collecting and dispensing vehicle

ABSTRACT

A refuse collecting and dispensing vehicle including a powered wheeled frame means having a refuse collection box pivotally mounted thereon. A hydraulic cylinder means is pivotally connected to the box through a pivoted arm arrangement to pivot the box from a normal collection position to a dispensing position. The box has a collection opening formed in the rearward end thereof to permit refuse to be placed in the interior of the box. A vertically disposed packing plate is movably mounted in the box below the collection opening for moving the collected refuse from the area of the collection opening into the interior of the box. The packing plate also serves to aid in forcing the refuse outwardly from the box when the box is being dumped. A safety switch means is provided in the collection opening for deactivating the hydraulic cylinder means connected to the packing plate to prevent injury to the operator&#39;&#39;s hand or arm. The box has a discharge opening formed at one end thereof which is closed by a cover element slidably mounted on the upper end of the box. The upper end of the box has a curved configuration to permit the box to be received in the collection opening of a larger refuse truck or the like. The vehicle also includes an operator&#39;&#39;s cab which is mounted on the rearward end of the frame means behind the collection box.

[ May 7,1974

[ REFUSE COLLECTING AND DISPENSING VEHICLE [75] Inventor: John W. Knight, New Hampton,

Iowa

[73] Assignee: Knight Motor Corporation, Osage,

Iowa

[22] Filed: June 29, 1972 [211 Appl. No.: 267,603

Primary Examiner-Albert .l. Makay I I Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Zarley, McKee & Thomte 1571 ABSTRACT A refuse collecting and dispensing vehicle including a powered wheeled frame means having a refuse collection box pivotally mounted thereon. A hydraulic cylinder means is pivotally connected to the box through a pivoted arm arrangement to pivot'the box from a normal collection position to a dispensing position. The box has a collection opening formed in the rearward end thereof to permit refuse to be placed in the interior of the box. A vertically disposed packing plate is movably mounted in the box below the collection opening for moving the collected refuse from the area of the collection opening into the interior of the box. The packing plate also serves to aid in forcing the refuse outwardly from the box when the box is being dumped. A safety switch means is provided in the collection opening for deactivating the hydraulic cylinder means connected to the packing plate to prevent injury to the operators hand or arm. The box has a discharge opening formed at one end thereofwhich is closed by a cover element slidably mounted on the upper end of the box. The upper end of the box has a curved configuration to permit the box to be received in the collection opening of a, larger refuse truck or the like. The vehicle also includes an operators cab which is m'ounted on the rearward end of the frame means behind the collection box.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures REFUSE COLLECTING AND DISPENSING VEHICLE The instant invention represents a significant improvement over applicant's earlier device which is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,542,225 which issued on Nov.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a refuse collecting and dispensing vehicle which is designed so as to be compatible with a larger refuse collection vehicle.

A further object of this invention. is to provide a refuse collecting and dispensing vehicle including a slidable cover element which covers the discharge opening until the refuse box has been moved to its dumping position thereby preventing refuse from being strewn around the vehicle.

A further object of this invention is to provide a refuse collecting and dispensing vehicle including a novel hydraulic cylinder and pivotal arm arrangement for pivoting the refuse box from its normal collection position to the dumping position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a refuse collecting and dispensing vehicle including a packing plate which not only moves the refuse into the interior of the box but which also aids in moving the refuse from the interior of the box when the box is in its dumping position. i A further objectof this invention is to provide a refuse collecting and dispensing vehicle which is compact and easily maneuverable.

A further object of this invention is to provide a refuse collecting and dispensingvehicle which permits the efficient collecting and dispensing of refuse.

A further object of this invention is to provide a refuse collecting and dispensing vehicle which is economical of manufacture, durable'in use and refined in appearance.

These andother objects will be apparent skilled in the art. I

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:v

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of thevehicle;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view seen along lines 44 of FIG. 3 with portions-thereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention;

to those FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view' seen along lines rearward end thereof. The motor 20 is mounted at the forward end of the'frame means and is connected to the i differential 22 by a drive shaft connection 24. An op'erators cab 26 is provided on the rearward end of the vehicle with a steering wheel 28 being provided therein for steering the wheels 30 and 32 at the forward end of the frame means.

- Frame means 14 has a pair of spaced apart supports 34 and 34 extending upwardly and forwardly therefrom as illustrated in the drawings. The supports 34 and 34 have a truncated portion at their upper forward ends generally referred to by the reference numeral 36.

The numeral 38 refers to the refuse box having a forward end 40, rearward end 42, sides 44 and 46, top 48 and bottom 50. As seen in FIG. 2, bottom 50 is defined by a horizontally disposed bottom portion 52 and an upwardly-extending bottom portion 54. Box 38 is provided with a refuse collection opening 56 at its rearward end adapted to receive refuse therein. As seen in FIG. 1, box 38 is provided with the vertically disposed wall portion 58 which extends upwardly adjacent the forward end of receiving opening 56. v

The upper end of the box 38 is provided with a discharge opening 60 at the forward end thereof. The

upper end of box 38 is closed rearwardly of the discharge opening 60 by wall members 62 and 64. The numeral 66 refers to a cover element which is slidably mounted on suitable guides or the like provided on the box 38 so as to normally close the discharge opening 60. A pair of hydraulic cylinders 68 and 70 are secured to opposite sides of the box and to the cover element 66 for slidably moving the cover element between the closed position illustrated in FIG. 1 to the open position illustrated in FIG. 6.

The box 38 is pivotally mounted on the frame means by a pair of posts 72 and 74 extending downwardly from the forward end thereof and which are pivotally secured to the supports 34 and 34'. Arm 75 is pivotally connected at one end thereof to the box 38 at 77. The other end of the arm 75 is pivotally connected to one end of the arm 78 by means of pin 80. The other end of arm 78 is pivotally connected to the framemeans l4.

A hydraulic cylinder means 82 is pivotally connected at its rod end to the arm 75 at 84 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The base end of the hydraulic cylinder 82 is pivotally connected to the pivotal connection of the arm 78 and the frame means 14 at 86. Likewise, the hydraulic cylinder 82' and arms 75' and, 78 are provided at the other side of the vehicle. Extension of the rods from the cylinders 82 and 82' causes the box 38 to be pivoted from the position of FIG. 2'to the position of FIG. 7.

The relationship of the hydraulic cylinders and the respective pivotal arms is such that the forward end of the box is moved forwardly over the upper ends of the supports 34 and 34' as illustrated in the drawings.

The numeral 88 refers to a packer plate which is vertically disposed in the rearward end of the box 38. Plate 88 has a pair of plates 90 and 92 secured to one side thereof which extend outwardly through slots 94 and 96 formed in side 44. Roller 96 is secured to plate 90 and rollably engages a channel-shaped guide 98 secured to side 44. A roller 100 is secured to plate 92 and rollably engages a channel-shaped guide 102 secured to side 44. Bar 104 is secured to and extends between theplates 90 and 92 as illustrated in FIG. 5. Rods 105 are secured to plate 104 by pins-108. A hydraulic cylinder 106 is secured at its rod end to the rods 105 as seen in FIG. 2. The other end of the hydraulic cylinder 106 is secured to the side 44. Cover 110 is secured to side 44 and encloses the various plates, rollers, guides and the 3' hydraulic cylinder. 106. The packing plate 88 also has a pair of plates similar to plates 90 and 92 extending from its other side. Rollers, guides and'a hydraulic cylinder are provided at the other side of the packing plate 88 and will not be described in detail since they are identical to that illustrated in FIG. 5. Y

The numerals 112, 114 and 116 refer to safety switch elements which are provided at the rearward end of the box and which are interconnected by an actuating bar 118. The switches 112, 114 and 116 are connected to the control system operating the cylinder 106 so that the cylinder 106 will be deactivated if the bar 1 18 is engaged or contacted by the operatorshand such as that seen in FIG. 4. In'the event that the operator's hand would happen to be positioned rearwardly of the packin g plate 88 during the rearward-movement thereof, the packing plate 88 would cause the operators hand to engage the actuating bar 1 18 which would in turn deactivate the hydraulic cylinder 106 to stop the rearward travel of the packing plate 88 thereby preventing injury to the operator. An additional safety feature is provided in that the packing plate 88 is positioned rearwardly of the wall portion 58 when the plate 88 reaches its forward position thereby preventing injury to the operator's hand if it should be positioned as illustrated in FIG. 4. The various hydraulic cylinders provided on the device are controlled from within the cab. The motor could also be employed to power the hydraulic pressure system for operating the various hydraulic cylinders. 4

In operation, the vehicle 10 would be driven by the operator to the collection, area and the hydraulic system of the vehicle would be operated to cause the packing plate 88 to be moved rearwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 3 so that the refuse could be dumped into the box through the collection opening 56. When a predetermined amount of refuse has been placed in the box 38, the hydraulic cylinder 106 and the cylinder at the other side of the vehicle corresponding to hydraulic cylinder 106 would be operated to cause the packing plate 88 to be moved forwardly within the box to force the refuse forwardly from the collection opening 56. The packing, plate 88 would then be moved to its rearward position for subsequent collection operations. The packing plate 88 would be successively operated to force the refuse forwardly and to pack the same in the box 38. The cover element 66 is kept closed during the collection operation.

When the box 38 is filled with refuse, the vehicle 10 will be driven to the area for dispensing the refuse and driven into the proper position. The vehicle 10 may be used as a satellite'vehicle todeliver refuse to a larger refuse truck 12 such as seen in'FIG. 7. If the refuse is to be dumped into the collection end of the truck 12, the vehicle 10 is maneuvered so as to be properly aligned therewith. The hydraulic cylinders 82 and 82' are then operated to pivot the refuse box 38 from the position of FIG. 2 to the position of FIG. 7. The hydraulic cylinders 68 and 70 would then be operated to slidably move the cover element 66 to uncover the discharge opening 60. The fact that the cover element 66 remains closed until the refuse box 38 is inthe position illustrated in FIG. 7 prevents garbage from spilling from the refuse box during the tipping operation.

Wit-h therefuse box 38 in the position illustrated-in FIG. 7, the packing plate 88 is then operated to move the same forwardly which aids in dislodging the refuse from within the box 38 so that the refuse will fall into the collectionend of the vehicle 12. When approximately one-fourth ofthe refuse has been dumped into the truck 12, the cover element 66 is then closed. The packing paddle in the larger truck 12 would then be cycled one time to compress the refuse in conventional fashion. The cover element 66 is then again opened to permit another one-fourth of the refuse to be dumped into the vehicle 12. The procedure is repeated until all of the refuse has been dumped into the vehicle 12.

The fact that the cover element 66 is slidably mounted on the refuse box prevents the cover element from interfering with the dumping operation into the larger vehicle 12. The arcuate upper end of the box 38 and the pivotal arrangement of the box permits the box to be received in the rearward collection area of the larger vehicle 12. The arcuate shape of the upper end of the box 38 permits the box to be positioned practicallyflush with the rearward end of the garbage truck 12 as seen in FIG. 7.

Thus it can be seen that an extremely convenient and efficient refuse collecting and dispensing vehicle is dis closed herein which efficiently packs the refuse and which provides an efficient means for dispensing the refuse therefrom. The vehicle of this invention is economical of manufacture and is substantially trouble freein operation. Thus it can be seen that the device accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

I claim: 7

1. A refuse collecting and dispensing vehicle, comprising, a powered wheeled frame means having opposite ends, an operators cab on said frame means at one end thereof,

a refuse collection box having opposite ends and pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof to said frame means adjacent the other end thereof, the other end of said box being positioned adjacent said cab, said box having upper and lower ends, said box having opposite sides,

said box having a refuse discharge opening provided in its upper end adjacent said one end,

said box having a refuse collection opening provided in its upper end between said refuse discharge opening and said cab,

a cover element slidably movably mounted on the upper end of said box for selectively closing said discharge opening, 1

means for pivotally moving said box from a normal collection position to a dispensing position,

said cover element being movable between closed and open positions,

means for slidably moving said cover element from its closed position to its open position after said box has been pivotally moved to its dispensing position,

the upper ends of said opposite sides of said box being arcuately formed'so that the ends thereof dwell in a plane below the intermediate portion of the ends, said refuse discharge opening being contained in the arcuately formed portion of said box.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said means for pivotally moving said box comprises first and second power cylinder means, a first arm being pivotally secured at one end to said box at one side thereof adjacent the bottom end thereof, a second arm pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said first arm,

said second am being pivotally secured at its other end pivotally connected at its other end to said first arm, a third arm pivotally secured at one end to said box at the other side thereof adjacent the bottom end thereof, a fourth arm pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said third arm, said fourth arm being pivotally secured at its other end to said frame means, said second power cylinder means pivotally connected at one end to said frame means and pivotally connected at its other end-to said third arm, said first and second power cylinder means being adapted to pivotally move the arms associated therewith to pivotsaid box upwardly about its pivotal connection with said frame means to permit refuse to be dumped from said discharge open- 3 The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said means for slidably moving said cover element comprises a hydraulic cylinder means extending between said box and said cover element for slidably moving said cover element between its said closed and open positions.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the pivotal connection axis between said first power cylinder means and said frame means is in the same vertical plane as the pivotal connection axis of said second arm and said frame means, the pivotal connection axis between said second power cylinder means and said frame means being in the same vertical plane as the pivotal connection axes of said fourth arm and said frame means.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said box has a vertically disposed wall adjacent said collection opening, said collection opening being disposed in a plane below the upper end of said box, a vertically disposed packing plate in said box below said collection opening, movable between first and second positions, said packing plate being positioned closely adjacent said other end of said box when in its said first position, said packing plate being positioned adjacent the lower end of said vertically disposed wall when in its second position, and power means for moving said packing plate between its said first and second positions.

6. The vehicle of claim 5 wherein a pair of opposing, horizontally disposed guide tracks are provided on said box at each side thereof adjacent said other end, and a pair of rollers at each end of said packing plate in engagement with said guide tracks.

7. A refuse collecting and dispensing vehicle, comprising,

a powered wheeled frame means having opposite ends, an operators cab on said frame means at one end thereof, a refuse collection box having opposite ends and pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof to said frame means adjacent'the other end thereof, the' other end of said box being positioned adjacent said cab, said box having upper and lower ends, said box having oppositesides,

said box having a refuse'discharge opening provided in its upper end adjacent said one end,

said box having a refuse collection opening provided in its upper end between said refuse discharge opening and said cab,

a cover element slidably movably mounted on the upper end of said box for selectively closing said discharge opening, 1

means for pivotally moving said box from a normal collection position to a dispensing position,

said box having a vertically disposed wall adjacent said collection opening, said collection opening being disposed in a plane below the upper end of said box, a vertically disposed packing plate in said box below said collection opening, movable between first and second positions, said packing plate being positioned closely adjacent said other end of said box when in its said first position, said packing plate being positioned adjacent the lower end of said vertically disposed wall when in its second position, and power means for moving said packing plate between its said first and second positions, and a safety pressure switch means connected to said power means for deactivating the same, said safety pressure switch means being positioned in said box adjacent said other end thereof so that said power means will be deactivated if the operators arm is between said packing plate and said other end of said box during the final portion of the movement of said packing plate from its second position to its first position. 

1. A refuse collecting and dispensing vehicle, comprising, a powered wheeled frame means having opposite ends, an operator''s cab on said frame means at one end thereof, a refuse collection box having opposite ends and pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof to said frame means adjacent the other end thereof, the other end of said box being positioned adjacent said cab, said box having upper and lower ends, said box having opposite sides, said box having a refuse discharge opening provided in its upper end adjacent said one end, said box having a refuse collection opening provided in its upper end between said refuse discharge opening and said cab, a cover element slidably movably mounted on the upper end of said box for selectively closing said discharge opening, means for pivotally moving said box from a normal collection position to a dispensing position, said cover element being movable between closed and open positions, means for slidably moving said cover element from its closed position to its open position after said box has been pivotally moved to its dispensing position, the upper ends of said opposite sides of said box being arcuately formed so that the ends thereof dwell in a plane below the intermediate portion of the ends, said refuse discharge opening being contained in the arcuately formed portion of said box.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said means for pivotally moving said box comprises first and second power cylinder means, a first arm being pivotally secured at one end to said box at one side thereof adjacent the bottom end thereof, a second arm pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said first arm, said second arm being pivotally secured at its other end to said frame means, said first power cylinder means pivotally connected at one end to said frame means and pivotally connected at its other end to said first arm, a third arm pivotally secured at one end to said box at the other side thereof adjacent the bottom end thereof, a fourth arm pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said third arm, said fourth arm being pivotally secured at its other end to said frame means, said second power cylinder means pivotally connected at one end to said frame means and pivotally connected at its other end to said third arm, said first and second power cylindeR means being adapted to pivotally move the arms associated therewith to pivot said box upwardly about its pivotal connection with said frame means to permit refuse to be dumped from said discharge opening.
 3. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said means for slidably moving said cover element comprises a hydraulic cylinder means extending between said box and said cover element for slidably moving said cover element between its said closed and open positions.
 4. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the pivotal connection axis between said first power cylinder means and said frame means is in the same vertical plane as the pivotal connection axis of said second arm and said frame means, the pivotal connection axis between said second power cylinder means and said frame means being in the same vertical plane as the pivotal connection axes of said fourth arm and said frame means.
 5. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said box has a vertically disposed wall adjacent said collection opening, said collection opening being disposed in a plane below the upper end of said box, a vertically disposed packing plate in said box below said collection opening, movable between first and second positions, said packing plate being positioned closely adjacent said other end of said box when in its said first position, said packing plate being positioned adjacent the lower end of said vertically disposed wall when in its second position, and power means for moving said packing plate between its said first and second positions.
 6. The vehicle of claim 5 wherein a pair of opposing, horizontally disposed guide tracks are provided on said box at each side thereof adjacent said other end, and a pair of rollers at each end of said packing plate in engagement with said guide tracks.
 7. A refuse collecting and dispensing vehicle, comprising, a powered wheeled frame means having opposite ends, an operator''s cab on said frame means at one end thereof, a refuse collection box having opposite ends and pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof to said frame means adjacent the other end thereof, the other end of said box being positioned adjacent said cab, said box having upper and lower ends, said box having opposite sides, said box having a refuse discharge opening provided in its upper end adjacent said one end, said box having a refuse collection opening provided in its upper end between said refuse discharge opening and said cab, a cover element slidably movably mounted on the upper end of said box for selectively closing said discharge opening, means for pivotally moving said box from a normal collection position to a dispensing position, said box having a vertically disposed wall adjacent said collection opening, said collection opening being disposed in a plane below the upper end of said box, a vertically disposed packing plate in said box below said collection opening, movable between first and second positions, said packing plate being positioned closely adjacent said other end of said box when in its said first position, said packing plate being positioned adjacent the lower end of said vertically disposed wall when in its second position, and power means for moving said packing plate between its said first and second positions, and a safety pressure switch means connected to said power means for deactivating the same, said safety pressure switch means being positioned in said box adjacent said other end thereof so that said power means will be deactivated if the operator''s arm is between said packing plate and said other end of said box during the final portion of the movement of said packing plate from its second position to its first position. 